tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35569785491418334992018-03-03T01:47:20.530+10:00Christian Women BlogzineNaomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-70173542263963750632008-03-25T13:50:00.003+10:002008-03-25T13:55:31.422+10:00Bye Bye Blogzine!I'm sure this isn't much of a surprise to anyone still visiting/subscribed - but I've decided to shut down Christian Women blogzine. The original idea was to have several writers on board, and me in a mostly organisational role... but it's stayed as me simply writing the vast majority of articles, which doesn't really count as a 'blogzine' at all!But never fear... I'm sure to come up with other <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/FQkF7i_Wl6U" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com2http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2008/03/bye-bye-blogzine.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-28847447278920079002008-01-24T12:55:00.001+10:002008-01-24T12:59:31.292+10:00Practicing the Presence of God - pt 7Brother Lawrence said that in order to form a habit of conversing with God continually and referring all we do to Him, we must at first apply to Him with some diligence. Then, after a little care, we would find His love inwardly excite us to it without any difficulty.In other words - at first, this 'practice of the presence of God' takes effort and constant self-reminders. After a while, though, <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/KBkwbFMwuwE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2008/01/practicing-presence-of-god-pt-7.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-68492987235298227572008-01-11T20:23:00.000+10:002008-01-11T20:50:27.030+10:00Sex and MarriageI've been noticing that the most popular articles on this blogzine - by far! - are those about sex. And it's fair enough, too. There's often an unspoken assumption in the christian church that marriage = sex. Young couples are encouraged to stay 'pure' until they marry, to get the best out of life and sex. And while I don't disagree that marriage and sex should go together, it's a very obvious <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/sVfHibzOQys" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com2http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2008/01/sex-and-marriage.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-84145956591138648352008-01-05T17:40:00.000+10:002008-01-06T17:01:03.822+10:00Diary of a Broken Heart2 days before surgeryTomorrow - barring urgent cases taking priority over mine, or my surgeon getting sick, or something of the sort - I'm going into hospital for open heart surgery.Am I nervous? Heck yeah! There's a weird feeling of having been there done that... but I remember nothing (I was 2, last time). I know full well that I need to expect pain, and difficulty, and while I don't feel <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/crOYKVC31KQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com2http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2008/01/diary-of-broken-heart.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-19013033341445087952008-01-02T23:07:00.000+10:002008-01-02T21:03:56.958+10:00Spice Up Your Love Life (no sex toys required)Here's an idea for celebrating the New Year.No matter how good your marriage, it's a sure bet that it could be better. Unless, of course, you're the perfect woman married to the perfect man - in which case, I want to talk to you! So here's the challenge. It's not a unique idea, mind you, but it's practically guaranteed to change your relationship in some way. Even if it's subtle. First, read this<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/cxxlPMwXajY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com4http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2008/01/spice-up-your-love-life-no-sex-toys.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-37622424867881246642008-01-01T10:30:00.000+10:002008-01-01T10:49:41.563+10:00Practicing the Presence of God - pt 6Brother Lawrence said to arrive at such resignation as God requires, we should carefully watch over all the passions that mingle in spiritual as well as temporal things. God would give light concerning those passions to those who truly desire to serve Him.It can be incredibly hard to sort God's will from our own desires at times. In fact, I've sometimes found that the only way I could work it out<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/PjgyaaUjYuc" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2008/01/practicing-presence-of-god-pt-6.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-30228256550117404382007-12-29T08:12:00.000+10:002007-12-29T08:30:01.091+10:00The Road to EmmausVery early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, carrying the spices that they had prepared. When they found the stone rolled away from the entrance, they went in. But they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus, and they did not know what to think. Suddenly two men in shining white clothes stood beside them. The women were afraid and bowed to the ground. But the men said, "Why are you <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/Td9KPJ4ifQQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/12/road-to-emmaus.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-19515606844686410712007-12-28T07:52:00.000+10:002007-12-28T07:54:46.081+10:00HolidaysChristmas has been a good opportunity to slow down, relax, and think a bit.I hope you're managing something similar. Bless you! :-)Naomi<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/F7EkKVgKLp4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/12/holidays.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-22991151969228347572007-12-20T12:39:00.000+10:002007-12-20T20:13:29.871+10:00Not Very Feminine?Do you ever feel as though you're not very feminine? Have you ever been told that this is a problem - either biblically, or relationally, or just because it's not right? Do you think this is right? What is God's idea of femininity?The CreationSo God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.Genesis 1:27The Job DescriptionAn excellent wife <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/ABw6OpoDQdc" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/12/not-very-feminine.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-49129352976517074402007-12-18T13:28:00.000+10:002007-12-18T06:56:45.017+10:00Recipe - Christmas CookiesIngredients1 cup of brown sugar250g of margarine (I use Nuttelex)2 cups of plain flour1 tsp of baking powder1/2 cup of chocolate chips (I use dark chocolate - Aldi have some lovely no-dairy dark chocolate chips at the moment, which are as rare as hen's teeth!)1/2 cup of glace cherries, chopped (red and green for the 'proper' festive touch)1 tsp of vanilla essence1 tsp of cinnamon1/2 tsp of <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/y5ZKgLBpYSI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/12/recipe-christmas-cookies.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-46612669211514123582007-12-17T12:05:00.000+10:002008-12-10T23:28:46.150+10:00Art 101 - Tom RobertsFor something a bit different, I thought I'd have a look at an Australian artist. See Wikipedia's article for information about Tom Roberts.The Big Picture (Opening of the First Parliament)Mosman BayI have a bit of a soft spot for this next painting - it's based on a farm near Brocklesby, very close to where I grew up. I suspect that's the town's only claim to fame!Shearing the Rams<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/PByIkZs_8Vc" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/12/art-101-tom-roberts.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-44732583623650224002007-12-16T08:22:00.000+10:002007-12-17T08:24:45.136+10:00My Utmost for His Highest - Dec 15Apologies for the silence, people. I've been running around like a chook with its head cut off - although that's got little to do with christmas! That's practically sorted.This entry in My Utmost for His Highest really struck me yesterday:Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth —2 Timothy 2:15If you cannot <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/kS6geJWPwpU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-utmost-for-his-highest-dec-15.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-61639372973554093372007-12-11T16:47:00.000+10:002007-12-11T16:55:57.157+10:00After the Show is OverI saw a link to this article at Jesus The Radical Pastor. And I thought to myself, "this I gotta pass on."Sally Morgenthaler writes about the Church and where it's going by using the example of an ordinary-but-not-so-ordinary woman named Laurel. And she raises the question - what traditionally feminine attributes are needed here and now? Have a look. It's well worth the read (and the thinking <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/ohtzDvLqMyY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/12/after-show-is-over.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-6169666688398822992007-12-10T08:42:00.000+10:002007-12-10T08:51:06.915+10:00Practicing the Presence of God - pt 5He said that as far as the miseries and sins he heard of daily in the world, he was so far from wondering at them, that, on the contrary, he was surprised there were not more considering the malice sinners were capable of. For his part, he prayed for them. But knowing that God could remedy the mischief they did when He pleased, he gave himself no further trouble.I find myself partly agreeing with<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/T5fbk-bSR8A" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/12/practicing-presence-of-god-pt-5.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-60798132363617040312007-12-07T17:50:00.000+10:002007-12-07T13:07:30.766+10:00Diary of a Broken Heart - pt 6One week before surgeryI have a better idea of what to expect when it comes to the little things, now.So, the little things. I won't be able to raise my hands above my head (thank God for wrap-around tops). I'll need a pair of non-slip slippers to wear for walks around the ward as soon as I'm capable. Oh, I wish I could remember it all. I'll try to remember to document as much as possible after <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/JERzMkjQHGM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/12/diary-of-broken-heart.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-41333180759099809232007-12-04T14:28:00.001+10:002008-12-10T23:28:46.655+10:00Ethical Christmas PresentsIf you're in Australia and looking for well-priced, guilt-free Christmas presents, have a look at these two online stores:Be A Hero AustraliaOxfam AustraliaBoth offer Fair Trade products which help people not just survive, but to work for themselves.Naomi<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/l1BQawBosc0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/12/ethical-christmas-presents.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-65365398497922982352007-12-02T16:50:00.000+10:002007-12-02T16:54:31.698+10:00Recipe - Baby CakeI call this 'baby cake' because I came up with the recipe for our baby, Eli. He enjoys it!Ingredients 1 cup of wholemeal flour1/4 cup of carob powder1/2 cup of dates, cut in half or quarters1 ripe bananahot waterInstructionsPut the dates in a bowl, just cover with hot water. Leave to soak for 5-10 minutes. Add the banana and mash into a pulp. Add the carob powder and flour and mix well. Pour into<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/OqelTjfv6Ns" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/12/recipe-baby-cake.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-68560001067295936912007-11-30T09:11:00.000+10:002007-11-30T07:11:01.720+10:00Art 101 - MonetFor information about Claude Monet and his life, see Wikipedia's article.Poppies BloomingCamille Monet on Her DeathbedWater LiliesStill-life with AnemonesHouses of ParliamentRouen Cathedral, Facade and Tour d'AlbanelNaomi<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/lHe62f1cOCI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/11/art-101-monet.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-39509222124414949062007-11-28T16:02:00.000+10:002007-11-28T20:19:12.107+10:00Sex Slaves - Documentary<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/oA-NcpXEeW4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/11/sex-slaves-documentary.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-83149532709507533072007-11-27T18:00:00.000+10:002007-11-27T18:00:18.137+10:00Diary of a Broken Heart - pt 517 days before surgeryToday I got a phone call at work - about 3 hours after I told my work that I had 2 days of work before I had to leave for a few weeks (on the bright side, they knew it was coming). It was the hospital, informing me that I had a pre-admission clinic to attend the next day, and it would probably take most of the day. ACK. So I went back to the HR manager and said, sorry - <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/JxvC0NsxyH8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/09/diary-of-broken-heart.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-5930909121855617972007-11-26T10:59:00.000+10:002007-11-26T21:18:21.471+10:00Marriage Won't Solve ItWhatever the problem, there's a good chance that marriage won't fix it.Sex-starved? No guarantee that marriage will provide sex on tap. In fact, health issues could cause sex-hiatuses of months or years.Lonely? Being stuck with someone whose loving feelings have changed to resentment and rage will probably make you feel more lonely.Incomplete? Two jigsaw puzzles missing pieces don't combine to <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/xuMgHxa3IY4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/11/marriage-wont-solve-it.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-32622434510782028452007-11-25T09:48:00.000+10:002007-11-25T07:41:01.240+10:00Introducing the New TestamentMany thanks to the ELCA for producing these videos about the bible.(apologies for the ads in this - especially the one for the conference two years ago)<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/VIS9c-YlIf0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/11/introducing-new-testament.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-36721148157175102952007-11-24T14:40:00.000+10:002007-11-23T23:00:10.176+10:00Am I a Christian if I'm Not a Denomination?More and more frequently, I'm coming across devoted, faithful, spirit-filled Christians who don't affiliate themselves with a denomination, and go to a standard church only occasionally - if at all. And a number of them have a question - can I be a true Christian without official membership in a church?"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/jcV5VB_8a68" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/11/am-i-christian-if-im-not-denomination.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-36636567250160697792007-11-23T09:51:00.000+10:002007-11-22T22:07:59.797+10:00Art 101 - Van GoghFor information on Van Gogh and his life, see Wikipedia's article.Self-portraitStill Life: Vase with Twelve SunflowersCafe Terrace at Night(Interesting side note: apparently this cafe is now named the Cafe Van Gogh)Portrait of Dr GachetStarry NightWhite House at NightThe Potato-EatersNaomi<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/yg-iYgBCU3A" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/11/art-101-van-gogh.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556978549141833499.post-17208628296327710762007-11-22T10:33:00.000+10:002007-11-22T00:53:49.146+10:00Diary of a Broken Heart - pt 421 days before surgeryToday I discovered how to get things moving on my surgery:Get mild, persistent chest painGo to GP for an ECGPanic GP by mentioning 'chest', 'pain' and 'breathlessness' in the same sentenceGet a free ride to heart-specialty hospital in ambulance (no sirens)Allow hospital to discover that they've lost your recordsStay overnight because they don't know if your ECG is normal, <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ChristianWomenBlogzine/~4/G3SqaUz9uDs" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Naomihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196320671241418643noreply@blogger.com0http://cwblogzine.blogspot.com/2007/11/diary-of-broken-heart-pt-4.html